James Gunn recently shared details about his plans for the future of the DC Universe, particularly regarding Superman and its related characters. In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Gunn revealed he is working on a follow-up to the Superman film, hinting that it won’t be a straightforward sequel. This continuation may also involve the possible reappearance of Ultraman, an alternate reality’s darker version of Superman. Fans can expect surprising developments tied to the evolving DC Universe storyline with Gunn at the helm.
A Non-Traditional Sequel and Unexpected Directions
Though the original Superman film did not set up an obvious continuation, Gunn confirmed that a new project is underway. He characterized this upcoming effort as a “semi-, not-exactly sequel,” signaling that it will diverge from typical sequel conventions. On the nature of the follow-up, Gunn stated:
“I mean, it follows Superman. What am I gonna say? I don’t know what to say.” —James Gunn
He further explained the appeal and direction by emphasizing the element of surprise, noting that audiences appreciate Superman because of the unexpected narrative choices involved. Gunn said:
“I think people like Superman because it’s unexpected in certain respects, and I think that what we do next is gonna be unexpected. I just follow that. Listen, do I notice that people love Mr. Terrific and they love Krypto? Yes. I notice those things.” —James Gunn
This insight suggests that although characters like Mr. Terrific and Krypto have gained fan favor, the story will still take unpredictable turns.
Potential Return of Ultraman and Other Key Characters
Among the intriguing possibilities Gunn mentioned is the return of Ultraman, who represents a sinister counterpart to Superman from an alternate universe. While Gunn stopped short of confirming this appearance, his comments imply that fans might see this villain play a significant role in upcoming DC Universe projects. Alongside Ultraman, other characters have been teased through visual elements like the Hall of Justice mural.
The Hall of Justice Mural: More Than Just Background Art
The mysterious mural featuring the Hall of Justice stirred excitement and speculation among DC fans. Gunn explained that a great deal of thought went into its creation, indicating it holds clues about future stories and characters. He remarked:
“Oh, there was a ton of thought put into it. A ton of thought.” —James Gunn
When asked if the mural implies the arrival of all those characters in the DC Universe, Gunn clarified that not every figure will necessarily appear on screen, but some are already in development in various forms:
“Not necessarily specifically see all of them. But yes, some of them we already have in the works in different things in different ways.” —James Gunn
The mural features a diverse roster, including heroes like Jay Garrick, Wildcat, Super-Chief, Shining Knight, Silent Knight, Gunfire, Atomic Knight, Vibe, Dr. Fate, Freedom Beast, Black Pirate, Alan Scott, Dolphin, and Amethyst. These hints suggest a deepening of the DC Universe’s character roster beyond the usual suspects.
Time Travel and Science Fiction Elements Considered but Not Favored
Gunn also touched on the idea of introducing the 31st-century team, which involves time-travel elements. Though he has considered it, he expressed reservations about using time travel broadly in DC’s storytelling. In his own words:
“I’ve thought about it. I’m not a time-travel person. I like science fiction, but time travel’s a rough one for me. I am not into that. I’m not really into teleportation [either]. I have weird things that just aren’t for me.” —James Gunn
He differentiated between teleportation and movement through dimensional space, explaining:
“Now, you can say that the pocket universe is teleportation, but I don’t think of it as that. I think of it as traveling from one point in dimensional space to another as opposed to teleporting, which I think of as the person dying and being recreated.” —James Gunn
This nuanced perspective points to Gunn’s preference for handling science fiction concepts carefully within the DC narrative framework.
Future of the DC Universe Remains Unpredictable
James Gunn is continuing to build the DC Universe with a clear focus on surprising and fresh approaches, especially regarding Superman and his extended universe. His openness to exploring new characters alongside well-loved ones such as Mr. Terrific and Krypto indicates a complex, layered future for fans to anticipate. The potential return of Ultraman and incorporation of characters from the Hall of Justice mural confirm that many exciting developments lie ahead.
While specifics remain closely guarded, Gunn’s insights signal that upcoming DC projects will challenge expectations and expand the cinematic world in ways that promise to engage and intrigue audiences.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and still finds prayer significant. However, he also describes himself as somewhat opposed to religion.
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. Before joining DC Studios as co-CEO in 2022, Gunn collaborated with Marvel Studios on the Guardians of the Galaxy series. He directed The Suicide Squad (2021) for DC after being temporarily let go by Marvel, but was later rehired for Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The redesigned CGI version of Krypto the Superdog in Gunn’s 2025 Superman adaptation was inspired by Ozu.
Gunn, who grew up in a Catholic family, has said that prayer is still important to him. However, he also describes himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
